Language
The following pages will discuss body parts in medical terms. We recognize that medical language about bodies is based on binary sex categories and can be pathologizing. Inform your provider of the language you would like used to refer to your body.
Urgent or After Hours Issues
5pm-8am or Weekends
Call 801-581-2121
Ask for the plastic surgery resident on call
Non-Urgent Issues/Questions
Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
Any bottom surgery: call plastic surgery at 801-581-7719
Urinary catheter issues: call urology at 801-213-2700 (option 2)
Following Professional Care Standards
We are a team of surgeons dedicated to developing a center of excellence for gender affirming surgery in the Mountain West. We are passionate about serving the transgender community in our area, and across the country.
Our surgical providers at University of Utah Health work together with other specialties in the Transgender Health Program to provide a coordinated, safe approach to medical and surgical care. All of our providers follow the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care.
Start The Process
Because every gender journey is unique, we don’t assume what types of surgeries someone may choose. However there are a few steps you can take before any surgical appointment.
Watch Our Patient Education Videos
Check out our gender-affirming surgical videos before scheduling a consult.
Call Your Insurance Company to Ask if Gender Affirming Surgery is a Covered Benefit
See all insurance information.
Complete New Patient Questionnaire
You will be asked to complete an intake questionnaire before your consultation. Our team will help you set up a MyChart account where you will have the ability to fill this out online.
These questionnaires help us provide gender affirming services unique to you and your needs. Although some of the information asked is used to understand if you will meet WPATH criteria, none of your answers will disqualify you from accessing care with our program. Our goal is to help you get the services and resources you need to feel fully aligned with your identity.
Letters of Support
All surgical services require between one to two letters of support. These should be provided by a master’s level mental health provider indicating your readiness for surgery and documentation of gender dysphoria. You do NOT need these letters of support until after your consultation, but we will need them prior to scheduling your surgery and submitting the prior authorization for your insurance.
You can download this template letter of support for your mental health provider that includes the criteria we need to submit your prior authorization.
Looking for a mental health provider? View mental health resources.
Surgeries
Transmasculine
Transfeminine
Pre/Post OP Photos & Delayed Surgery
Surgery Pre and Post-Op Photos
To protect our patients’ privacy, we do not post pre and post-operative photos on our website. However, when you schedule a consultation for any surgery you can request to see these photos at your consultation.
Delayed or Cancelled Surgery
Unfortunately, there are times when surgery will have to be delayed or cancelled. This is due to various reasons; however, our teams are here to ensure we can get you rescheduled for a new surgery date. Find resources in the local Utah area and out of state.
Our Training
Before starting the gender affirming surgery program at University of Utah, our team travelled to sites across the country to compare different surgical techniques.
We picked sites that are known for high volume and excellent outcomes:
- Chicago, Illinois;
- Portland, Oregon; and
- New York University.
We have also participated in dissection courses, focusing in-depth on the anatomy of the pelvis and the changes made during gender affirming surgery.
In hopes of creating the best experience possible for our patients, we have also worked within the hospital community at U of U Health to educate all members of the hospital staff (intake clerks, nursing, food services, physical therapy, occupational therapy) with whom our patients will interact.
Bringing a Team Approach to Our Patients’ Care
We have seen that a team approach allows us to handle any complication that arises and gives our gender affirming surgery patients easy access to their surgeons.
We also have four surgeons involved in our phalloplasty and vaginoplasty surgeries. Having four surgeons involved in these surgeries allows us to continually fine-tune our approach, which helps us improve our patient's satisfaction with their outcomes.
Our surgical team is passionate about providing the following services to all our patients:
- high quality, compassionate health care to all our patients,
- close follow-up,
- transparent outcomes for patients, and
- research designed to improve our care for all our patient.
Upcoming Events
May 8, 2025
Mountain West Transforming Care Conference
Dates: May 8-10, 2025, Location: Springdale, Utah (near Zion National Park), Be a part of the leading ...
Hear from Our Patients
Gender Affirmation Does More Than Affirm—It Heals
When River Jude August arrived for surgery, they faced yet another challenge in their long journey to align their body with who they know they are. River, who identifies as agender—or outside the female/male binary—had already changed their legal gender to X. They had transitioned socially, opted for several medical treatments, and now faced their biggest surgery yet. River was about to undergo phalloplasty, the construction of a phallus.
Authentic Life Begins Thanks to Transgender Health Program
Jace was standing in the bra section of a clothing store with his mom when suddenly he began to cry. Jace hadn’t been the kind of kid who struggled with his gender identity from a young age. But when puberty hit and his body became more feminine, it didn’t feel right.
Pioneering Patient Finally at Home in Her Own Body
Although she belongs to the larger community of transgender individuals, Josie is one of a kind: she is the first patient ever to undergo comprehensive gender confirmation surgery at University of Utah Health.